solutions manager

director

project manager

manager

logistics coordinator

Freeman

A typical day of work at Freeman is busy so if you like staying busy, this could be a good fit. Overall culture from a local level is usually average to good depending on the branch. Mid-level management is where you’ll find the people who make the wheels turn at Freeman. Typically, they are given suggestions from upper-management that are entirely out of touch. Then upper management wonders why only half the company is doing what they ask. 

News flash, it’s because you guys really lack ground level experience. Additionally, I would stay away from operations if you’d like to move up in this company. Let’s take since the pandemic as an example:

We came back and struggled to staff sales. As operations does all the time, sales staff had to wear multiple hats and of course this promotion period, sales was rewarded for it. In operations, you’ll forever wear multiple hats and be given excuses as to why you need more experience or it’s just not time yet for your next promotion.

 Funny thing is, with all the hats you wear, you’ll still have to fight for a measly 3% raise. Even during these economic times. Funny how that works when Freeman executive leadership exclaims how we’ve had such record years!!

Freeman continues to pay a salary that is not competitive per market. They base everything off of the Texas market it seems (conveniently cheap). 

All in all— the retention Freeman had this past year I hope they enjoyed. Because they’ve destroyed the morale of the operations departments across the company and I anticipate that changing. The difference now is they don’t have as many tenured employees and they’re in a transition of younger employees coming in who will leave due to the lack of opportunity and just blatant disrespect for those who work their tails off here.

Freeman had a culture of going the extra mile; of giving the customer the shirt off their back, and at the end of the day being proud to do it. At the end of the day though you've gone so many extra miles you are in the middle of nowhere shirtless. Freeman is proud to give you an attaboy, but you're still stranded and topless.
The work-life balance is so off, that working until midnight is common place. That's across all departments, technology, design, admins, logistics... You love that you can help the customer by doing a little extra, but there are no guard rails on what that means for the employee.
I felt the pay was a little low and I didn't think they gave a fair cost of living increase each year (I got a >3% raise in a major city, although cost of living is rising much faster). I was told when I was hired that I could get up to a 7.5% bonus each year, but when it was review time, I was also told (by the same person), that she would NEVER give the highest rating, making it impossible to actually reach that bonus/increase.
Freeman was always looking for ways to innovate for the customer, and for their brand, but when it came time to make the background orchestra run as smoothly, they were very hesitant to make improvements, especially if those suggestions were coming from the bottom. They were only legitimate if they were coming from the very highest levels. Lots needs to change with the way Freeman is run internally, but I've got to say, I think they are starting to realize that and try to be a better company for their employees.

I would not recommend working here if you can work somewhere else. The managers are loyal to each other and it is a "good old boys" network where certain groups have precedence even if the "lesser" groups are treated unjustly or pick up their slack. You will work hard and learn a lot, and get paid fairly well, however, expect long hours and a high stress job, depending on your role, you may have to travel. Freeman talks a lot about creating a family, yet it is a false illusion- if you are not a certain type of person, you will always be the outsider and you won't know it unless you challenge their policies and procedures. I would highly encourage minorities in particular to stay away from Freeman as while they are pushing these diversity initiatives, it is not consistent in practice. A lot of shady politics happen behind the scenes. In all, you will make good money, but it is hard to be happy here. 

A typical day at work would be for me would be to open our office trailer every morning and get our computer systems online and running for the day. I would then check our voicemail system to see if anyone had called out for their shift. Once that was done, I would do an on premise to see if anyone was missing from their shift and I would double check to see if they are actually there or not with their lead or supervisor. Also during this time and the rest of my shift I would be making phone calls and answering the phone when it would ring. 
My management at this job was spectacular, they cared about us as employees and would try to make the work place easier considering how stressful it could be.
The hardest part of the job would have to be the very unsteady hours they would work us, it was very rare to work a somewhat steady shift.
The most enjoyable part of the job would have to be interacting with the Union Employees, they are a very different bunch, but they can always make you smile even if you are very stressed. Another enjoyable part would have to be when I would go on show site and just see the workers literally build from nothing to something with the shows.

Long story short, I am still traumatized by my experience with previous manager. Poor management kills ambition. I was compared to my colleagues and openly admitted to that they shouldn’t be saying that. I was told when I emailed them about forgetting a meeting until the day said supervisor travelled and being called an inconvenience to them because they had to call me. Granted I had my share of faults but no one should be having crying panic attacks at 3 in the morning because they know they have to talk to their supervisor and don’t know what the tone is going to be that day. It still sometimes affects me in my current job in a whole different industry. Take my review with a grain of salt because there  are many positives this is just my Freeman experience.

With that being said;
My problem was with select management. There were also many great things at Freeman. Many fun projects, lots of collaboration, teamwork, and employee appreciation. My colleagues were a blast! It was very faced paced and everyday it seemed like I was learning something new from various departments.

Freeman Company is a family-owned company that has outgrown the family's ability to manage it. There are pockets within this company that jostle for power. Employees are terminated unjustly without notice or a formal grievance process. While I was there, I saw a very large number of terminations, it was basically a revolving door at the head office at least.

The branches are apparently a much better place in which to work, as is the operations side of the business as opposed to anywhere at the corporate office in Dallas.

The management overall lacks the professionalism and quality one comes to expect from a $2bn company. 

Freeman's HR group are unprofessional in general and not an advocate for the employee.

Freeman Company will tell you that they are a great place to work and an employer of choice. That is always arbitrary, so if you are considering applying for any position with Freeman, particularly in middle management, be very careful and do your homework thoroughly before considering this employer, there are much better options out there.

Freeman is a privately held, financially sound, encourages innovation and is the industry leader for producing live events and brand experiences.  I feel empowered to make the right decisions for the customer and the company and my managers give me the tools I need to succeed.  Freeman has a clear vision for the future and does not take their leadership for granted. 

Long hours and travel are expected but you'll never work with a more motivated or supportive team of coworkers.  The rewards are good benefits, fair pay, tremendous opportunity for advancement and the thrill of making the impossible possible for your customers.  

My hours are flexible but the demands of the customer do come first.  work balance is a challenge for the industry - as the "show must go on" is a core value we all possess.  

The job is often stressful but extremely rewarding and fun!  you get to learn about all kinds of different industries and new technologies.  This is the perfect job for those who are self motivated and are "adrenaline junkies".

Freeman AV was an odd job for me but I loved it so much, I delivered the equipment to show sites and felt a pride representing Freeman. I got to see a lot of cool places and work with certain people which benefit me getting my new current job. The warehouse is huge and can get hectic so beware, only downside is the motto: the show must go on, which is true but that means working 8-12 hrs at the warehouse 6-7 days a week which was upsetting due to not having a life outside of work but their flexible time off was something amazing counteracting that. The pay is a bit low for the job at $17.65 for a class driver and a bit less as a warehouse employee but man was the main manager such a great boss, best boss I had ever had, he actually cared and listened and was very understanding whenever you were sick or needed a day off for personal reasons, no questions asked, do not take advantage of him, that will be a huge mistake. 

A very fast paced and intense work environment with many challenges daily. Long hours but a sense of accomplishment when the day is done. There are so many aspects to this company that it is easy to find your role if you are in the right branch for your personality type. The culture here is one of family and support; there is a sense that someone always has your back. The most difficult part of the job is that you are never truly off of work; it is a 24/7/365 job. People, the people are the best part of this job. Clients both internal and external; we help people take their vision and make it real. Helping someone create an experience is in and of itself satisfying and that is what you get with Freeman. In my opinion, this is by far the best of the companies that deal with the convention industry. If you are looking to grow or start a career in Corporate Convention this is the place to be.

At the Freeman Companies my first role was on the corporate help desk. We were responsible for supporting the day to day IT operations of all Freeman locations in the US and Canada. Creating user accounts, computer objects, password resets, folder management, Citrix environment, VPN connections, and computer and network troubleshooting in the office and at trade shows. I held that position for 5 years before becoming the IT Manager for the Dallas branch. As the IT Manager I was responsible for 80+ employees computers, laptops and mobile devices. I also deployed remote networks to support trade shows all around the DFW area. The most difficult part of the job was coordinating will all of the various departments to make sure we had all of the equipment we needed loaded on trucks, so it could be assembled at the show. The most enjoyable aspect was being able to travel all around the DFW and setup networks, routers, servers and computers

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Solutions manager 3 salaries reported	$69,667 per year
Director 3 salaries reported	$150,000 per year
Project manager 4 salaries reported	$75,000 per year
Manager 3 salaries reported	$83,333 per year
Logistics coordinator 3 salaries reported	$18.00 per hour

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